Pete Schlegel Sounds Like Nashville!
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker
The beautiful fall night with the falling leaves was a perfect night to be out. One of my favorite country singers was performing at the American Legion in Columbus Grove.
The singer, Pete Schlegel is a talented guy from our own Paulding County. I had listened to his songs and I loved his “old country” vibe so loving classic country I decided I wanted to go.
My sweetie, Denny, went with me and neither one of us had ever been to Columbus Grove before. It wasn’t hard to make our way to Columbus Grove, but finding the Legion was another story.
The Columbus Grove school had won some state titles and the streets were decorated and celebrating to greet their State winners (great job to those winners)
We drove around Columbus Grove probably for about 1/2 hour and finally found the American Legion. We were only like 3 hours early.
Pete Schlegel and his band was setting up and doing mike checks. I could tell by his practice times, this was gonna be a good night for some good old tunes.
I was so excited to be able to see this classic country singer and once the music started, you knew that this singer was a classic country singer plus he sang some of the older rock songs. I never saw him look at any lyrics and his voice was deep and his songs got people up dancing.
I met a lady from Lima, Ohio and her name was also Nancy. She had known Pete for a long time and had bought a t-shirt from him at another concert, many years ago. They said they had not seen Pete for about 20 years, what a nice reunion for them. (And she wore that shirt)
Mean while, people were dancing and following a break this band was back on stage with more great tunes.
A little about country singer Pete Schlegel
Raised on a dairy farm in Paulding, Ohio, Pete listened to country radio shows while milking the cows as a child. He listened to the old country music and this early exposure to the radio shows grew his passion for country music. He worked as a state trooper and EMS helicopter pilot but ultimately, it was his love of country music that drove him to pursue his dream of performing.
He headed to Nashville in 2002, where he began working with producer Clyde Brooks.Brooks who produced Pete’s debut album, “Strong Stuff,” which saw three singles burst onto national charts. The singles “Short For Gone,” “Leavin’ Ain’t As Easy As It Sounds,” and “It Takes A Whole Lot Of Liquor To Like Her” exposed Pete to a wider audience in the US and Europe.
“Leavin’ Ain’t As Easy As It Sounds” would go on to dominate international charts for over seven weeks, and became the Number 1 single in Germany.
The video of “It Takes A Whole Lot Of Liquor To Like Her” was chosen as a Hot Pick Video on Great American Country (GAC) and received substantial video spins on VH1 Country
In 2005-2008 Schlegel went on tour with Daryle Singletary and Jeff Carson. During this time, under the direction of Nashville producer Ted Hewitt, Pete completed his sophomore album, “I’m Not Listening.” The first single, “Alcohol Abuse” was released in the summer of that 2006. The single, “You Can’t Bring Her Back” was released in 2008. Both videos can still be seen regularly on GAC and CMT.
After a short hiatus, Pete’s fourth album was released in April of 2014. A collaboration with Grammy nominated Nashville producer Greg Cole, “That’s What I Believe” provided fresh material for radio release, as well as some of Pete’s all-time favorite “true” country songs.
Cole would also produce Pete’s fifth album, “Rusty Ole Halo” (a southern gospel album). The track, “My God” which featured the guest vocals of Darrin Vincent and Aaron McCune attracted the attention of Nashville based Joe Kelly Entertainment and On The Rhodes Entertainment group, who signed Pete in September of 2016 with the intention of releasing and promoting singles from this album
Schlegel released his sixth album J-Town #realcountryandproud on February 13, 2017. It includes 10 songs that he has either written or co-written
The first single to radio is “I Don’t Drink Anymore” charted at 57 on the Music Row Charts and is currently receiving airplay across the world. The single is being worked by the radio.
“My God” was released and promoted by Debbie Randle Promotions the fall of 2021. It took the #1 spot on the Positive Country Charts the week of January 10, 2022. Giving Pete his second #1 single to radio. January of 2023 Pete finished filming a new country music video featuring a cameo by Cledus T Judd. This is available now on all your favorite streaming services. November of 2024 “The River” was released with a full video in support of the victims from Hurricane Helene.
On his 6th release, Odds and Ends, he recorded a song called “Why I Stand” released in May of 2025. That video has surpassed 300,000 views in the first week.
Listen and request Pete on your local radio station or favorite streaming service! See and request Pete and his band at a town near by where he may be performing
The lead guitar player is named Phil and he makes his guitar talk. On drums is Daniel or DJ; James Stewart – Keys; Ted – accordion, bass
Check Bandsintown to see a schedule for Pete and his band to rock the house. You will appreciate his entertainment.
Now I loved the concert and had a wonderful time. I will definitely go see him again!
If you go see this singer from Nashville and Paulding, let me know and I will give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.
